Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Meet the SCD Board of Directors
Graeme Ferguson (Chair)
Graeme is originally from Perth and moved to Tomatin with his wife, Jillian, in May 2022.
Professionally, Graeme is a retired Civil Engineer, and worked for a local authority for the majority of his career. He has extensive experience of road maintenance and all forms of infrastructure asset management.
During the last twenty years of his career, he initiated numerous national collaborative projects between local authorities and other organisations. This led to Graeme acting as the Scottish representative on a number of UK working groups producing national standards and guidance.
He is keen to offer his knowledge and experience to the benefit of the community.
Professionally, Graeme is a retired Civil Engineer, and worked for a local authority for the majority of his career. He has extensive experience of road maintenance and all forms of infrastructure asset management.
During the last twenty years of his career, he initiated numerous national collaborative projects between local authorities and other organisations. This led to Graeme acting as the Scottish representative on a number of UK working groups producing national standards and guidance.
He is keen to offer his knowledge and experience to the benefit of the community.
George Macleod (Vice Chair)
George was born in the Highlands, and lives in Tomatin with his wife Tanya and all their family live in the village.
He is the Managing Director of the Neacreath Group which has Forestry, Property and a Marine Division all with interests in the Highlands of Scotland and in particular in the Tomatin/Strathdearn area. The family owns a number of AirBnB and Holiday cottage properties in the surrounding area which brings large diverse range of tourists to the area.
They are passionate in moving things forward to ensure the Strathdearn area continues to develop and provide necessary facilities and services that the region requires and in particular driving forward the vision the residents put forward in the Community Survey.
George has over 40 years proven experience in International Shipping/Business Development and Management. He is currently the Chairman of the Port of Inverness and Inverness Marina Limited both highly successful businesses serving the Highlands and with the recent Green Freeport Award he is driving forward the multi-million-pound expansion of the port. He was until recently a Non-Executive Director of the National Shipbuilding Office in Whitehall, London where his expertise was being used to develop and maximise commercial shipbuilding in the UK.
He is the Managing Director of the Neacreath Group which has Forestry, Property and a Marine Division all with interests in the Highlands of Scotland and in particular in the Tomatin/Strathdearn area. The family owns a number of AirBnB and Holiday cottage properties in the surrounding area which brings large diverse range of tourists to the area.
They are passionate in moving things forward to ensure the Strathdearn area continues to develop and provide necessary facilities and services that the region requires and in particular driving forward the vision the residents put forward in the Community Survey.
George has over 40 years proven experience in International Shipping/Business Development and Management. He is currently the Chairman of the Port of Inverness and Inverness Marina Limited both highly successful businesses serving the Highlands and with the recent Green Freeport Award he is driving forward the multi-million-pound expansion of the port. He was until recently a Non-Executive Director of the National Shipbuilding Office in Whitehall, London where his expertise was being used to develop and maximise commercial shipbuilding in the UK.
Kevin McKnight
Strathdearn Community Council representative (SCC)
Kevin is originally from the central belt but has spent the last 18 years working with the Highland Council in Education.
He is a member of the Strathdearn Community Council and is passionate about supporting the views of residents and having a solution focused approach to community issues and endeavours.
Kevin is originally from the central belt but has spent the last 18 years working with the Highland Council in Education.
He is a member of the Strathdearn Community Council and is passionate about supporting the views of residents and having a solution focused approach to community issues and endeavours.
Gordon Noble
Moy Sub-committee representative
Alison Martin
Alison brings a wealth of experience from a diverse career spanning medicine, research communication and business leadership. Following her early career as a hospital doctor, she has spent more than 25 years specialising in medical writing, helping to communicate complex research in a way that is accessible to a wide range of audiences.
As Director of a successful independent consultancy for the past 14 years, Alison has developed expertise in strategic planning, governance, financial management and business development, leading an innovative company that has thrived in a changing economic environment.
Alison and her husband, Chris, recently made Tomatin their permanent home, fulfilling a long-held ambition rooted in Chris's family's century-long connection to the village. As they begin to plan for retirement, Alison is looking forward to contributing her skills and experience to Strathdearn Community Developments and becoming an active part of the local community.
As Director of a successful independent consultancy for the past 14 years, Alison has developed expertise in strategic planning, governance, financial management and business development, leading an innovative company that has thrived in a changing economic environment.
Alison and her husband, Chris, recently made Tomatin their permanent home, fulfilling a long-held ambition rooted in Chris's family's century-long connection to the village. As they begin to plan for retirement, Alison is looking forward to contributing her skills and experience to Strathdearn Community Developments and becoming an active part of the local community.
Libby-Jo Dempster
Libby-Jo is the Visitor Centre Team Leader at Tomatin Distillery, where she leads a team of 14 staff and is responsible for delivering exceptional visitor experiences. Her role has given her extensive experience in leadership, customer service, staff training, communication and day-to-day operations, alongside an excellent understanding of the whisky tourism industry.
Having previously served on the Strathdearn Community Developments Board as a young member, Libby-Jo brings valuable insight into community governance and is keen to help shape the organisation's future. She is passionate about supporting the local community and contributing to the continued growth and success of SCD through collaboration, practical problem-solving and a strong focus on people.
Having previously served on the Strathdearn Community Developments Board as a young member, Libby-Jo brings valuable insight into community governance and is keen to help shape the organisation's future. She is passionate about supporting the local community and contributing to the continued growth and success of SCD through collaboration, practical problem-solving and a strong focus on people.
Meet our Staff
Maureen McDonald-Cooke
Consultant
Maureen, a resident of Strathdearn, took up her position in November 2020, to assist in the design and delivery of all projects.
As a former SCD Board Director and the lead on the Affordable Housing Project, Maureen will continue to make this her main focus for the coming year.
Maureen comes with over 30 years of project management experience across a wide range of industries.
Elaine
Macleod
SCD Company Secretary
Elaine has been a regular visitor to Tomatin since childhood due to family connections.
After studying accountancy at UHI she co-founded a successful accountancy firm in Inverness. Elaine now runs her own bookkeeping business providing a wide variety of accounting and software solutions for clients.
She has experience in various committees and enjoys engaging in activities that help her local community.
Ed Cameron
Mackintosh
Financial Controller
Edward, a resident of Tomatin, has assisted SCD since 2015 with general financial services and in the role as a company secretary before focusing solely as a financial controller from 2021.
He studied accountancy in university before working in commercial banking roles in Edinburgh prior to returning to Tomatin and setting himself up as a financial services consultant.
He enjoys the variety of roles that comes with working with SCD and supports its mission to deliver impactful community benefit to the people of Strathdearn.
Tracy Campbell
Minute Secretary/Administrator & Events Coordinator
Tracy lives in Tomatin with her husband and their two children.
Since Tracy has moved to Tomatin back in 2009, she has organised a number of events for the community which were very successful.
In May 2023, she has started a new role within the development company as Events Coordinator where she will be responsible for organising various events held at The Strathdearn. She is very passionate about organising events and helping the local community.
Since Tracy has moved to Tomatin back in 2009, she has organised a number of events for the community which were very successful.
In May 2023, she has started a new role within the development company as Events Coordinator where she will be responsible for organising various events held at The Strathdearn. She is very passionate about organising events and helping the local community.
Helen Gerlings
Project Manager
As Project Manager, Helen leads a diverse portfolio of community projects, working closely with local residents, partners and stakeholders to deliver initiatives that strengthen and benefit the Strathdearn community. She is passionate about supporting sustainable community development and building collaborative partnerships that create a lasting positive impact for local people.
Drawing on more than 12 years' experience in hospitality and retail management in Glasgow and Italy, she brings strong organisational, leadership and communication skills to the role.
Helen studied International Business and Modern Languages at the University of Strathclyde, specialising in international marketing and Spanish. Her academic background provides a strong foundation in strategic planning, communication and stakeholder engagement, complementing her practical experience in leading community projects. Helen lives in Tomatin with her young family and is proud to be part of the local community she serves.
Drawing on more than 12 years' experience in hospitality and retail management in Glasgow and Italy, she brings strong organisational, leadership and communication skills to the role.
Helen studied International Business and Modern Languages at the University of Strathclyde, specialising in international marketing and Spanish. Her academic background provides a strong foundation in strategic planning, communication and stakeholder engagement, complementing her practical experience in leading community projects. Helen lives in Tomatin with her young family and is proud to be part of the local community she serves.
Natalie Perks
Human Resources
Natalie, a resident of Tomatin, is the Managing Director of Redstart UK and rents office space at The Strathdearn.
With over 20 years of experience in Human Resource Management, employment law, strategic HR planning, HR auditing, as well as HR support and advice
She delivers many seminars and training programmes in HR and leadership related subjects. She is a member of the CIPD.
Louise Ramsay
Community Woodland Coordinator
Louise has lived in the village for the past six years and is delighted to be the Community Woodland Coordinator.
Louise's background is in horticulture, having worked as Head Gardener on an estate in the West Highlands for many years before running her own gardening business in Edinburgh. Looking for a new challenge, and prior to moving to Tomatin, Louise changed career direction and became Manager of The Secret Herb Garden (near Edinburgh), where she oversaw the day-to-day running of the site, including events, weddings, and the café. This role gave her valuable experience in community engagement, organisation, and working with a wide range of people.
Louise enjoys getting stuck into her role as Community Woodland Coordinator, where she can share her knowledge and experience while playing an active part in the community. She is excited to work alongside local residents, the school, and partner organisations to help care for and develop the community woodland, creating opportunities for people to connect with nature and enjoy this valuable local resource.
Louise's background is in horticulture, having worked as Head Gardener on an estate in the West Highlands for many years before running her own gardening business in Edinburgh. Looking for a new challenge, and prior to moving to Tomatin, Louise changed career direction and became Manager of The Secret Herb Garden (near Edinburgh), where she oversaw the day-to-day running of the site, including events, weddings, and the café. This role gave her valuable experience in community engagement, organisation, and working with a wide range of people.
Louise enjoys getting stuck into her role as Community Woodland Coordinator, where she can share her knowledge and experience while playing an active part in the community. She is excited to work alongside local residents, the school, and partner organisations to help care for and develop the community woodland, creating opportunities for people to connect with nature and enjoy this valuable local resource.
Meet the WRT Board of Directors
Graeme Ferguson
Liz Campbell (Chair)
Liz Campbell is rejoining the WRT volunteer Board because the organisation has long been her passion. A former Chair, she previously served on the Board for over three years and stepped down only because her term had concluded. Liz greatly valued her responsibilities during that time and has always been deeply committed to community life. She enjoys engaging with local residents and has contributed in many ways over the years, including involvement with the Medical Group and supporting the home‑care initiative when it was active.
Having lived locally for over 50 years, Liz is strongly rooted in the area; her husband, Doug MBE, has worked his whole career in Tomatin and was also a trustee of the old hall, reflecting their long‑standing commitment to the community. With her required one‑year break now complete, Liz is enthusiastic about the opportunity to return to the Board and continue contributing to the community she cares about so deeply.
Having lived locally for over 50 years, Liz is strongly rooted in the area; her husband, Doug MBE, has worked his whole career in Tomatin and was also a trustee of the old hall, reflecting their long‑standing commitment to the community. With her required one‑year break now complete, Liz is enthusiastic about the opportunity to return to the Board and continue contributing to the community she cares about so deeply.